🦸‍♂️ What Comics to Read If You Liked Superman (2025)

f the new Superman film (2025) left you craving more of that same warmth, idealism, and Marvel‑scale inventiveness—plus a dash of quirky surrealism—you’re not alone. James Gunn’s direction brings a fresh, emotionally resonant take on Clark Kent that’s both reverent and modern. The film draws heavily from Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s All‑Star Superman—with its golden-age charm, mythic scale, and philosophical depth—while also leaning into Gunn’s signature flair for ensemble casts and tonal playfulness. Expect nods to characters like Krypto the Superdog, Ultraman, and even the absurdist spirit of the Justice Gang, blended with sincere, character-driven arcs that highlight Superman’s moral clarity and unshakeable heart.

The movie reaffirms Superman as more than just a symbol of strength—he’s a symbol of compassion, hope, and ethical courage in a complicated world. If you walked out of the theater feeling uplifted but wanting more, more stories that hold onto emotional stakes while embracing cosmic (and comic) weirdness, this list is for you.

Below is a curated reading guide for fans of the film: stories that echo its structured yet soulful storytelling, its embrace of both intimate vulnerability and galactic spectacle, and its bold willingness to reinterpret what the Man of Tomorrow means in every era.

1. All‑Star Superman (Grant Morrison & Frank Quitely)

This 12‑issue miniseries remains the ultimate roadmap to Superman’s emotional and visual style. Here, a dying Superman—exposed to the sun’s overcharge—sets out to complete the “Twelve Labors,” revealing his compassion, humor, and deep connection to humanity. Morrison’s emotive scripting and Quitely’s surreal art are said to have directly influenced Gunn’s film, from visual palette to character beats.

It's existential, poetic, and celebratory—everything the movie seems to channel.

2. Superman for All Seasons (Jeph Loeb & Tim Sale)

Instead of bombastic set pieces, Superman for All Seasons frames Superman’s early life through the eyes of those closest to him: Jonathan Kent, Lois Lane, Lana Lang, and Lex Luthor. Divided into the four seasons, each chapter offers a different emotional vantage point on Clark Kent’s journey. Scenes like Clark’s farm moments are echoed visually in the film.

If you’re drawn to Superman’s humanity—as a role model, neighbor, and son—this is a top-tier origin read.

3. Superman (2023–present) by Joshua Williamson & Dan Mora

This is the flagship Superman series, currently running in the mainline DC Universe. Featuring large-scale storytelling, strong characterization, and art that balances power and lightness, it’s a natural continuation of the film’s energy. Luthor re-emerges as a mastermind—not a brawler—reflecting his cunning portrayal in Gunn’s universe.

A solid way to follow Superman’s next phase in the DCU.

4. Action Comics (Vol. 5) – Warworld Saga (Philip Kennedy Johnson, Grant Morrison)

This crossover event (spanning Action Comics #1029–1046 and Superman #29–32) features Superman embroiled in gladiatorial combat under Mongul’s rule. Warworld blends brutal action, cosmic stakes, and a focus on Superman’s moral core, even when stripped of power.

It’s intense and epic, but still rooted in Clark Kent’s compassion and leadership.

5. Superman Unlimited (Dan Slott et al.)

A newer series launching in 2025 targeting newer readers, Superman Unlimited offers continuity-light adventures with big threats—like Kryptonite weaponry—and a fresh cast of characters. It’s a great jumping-on point for fans inspired by the film’s tone and ready for more DC-style heroics without needing deep background knowledge.

6. Batman/Superman: World’s Finest (Mark Waid & Dan Mora)

This team-up series delivers a lighter, energetic fare with cameos from heroes across the DC Universe—Justice League, Titans, and even oddities like merging Superman and Batman into one being temporarily. Think: playful, hopeful, crossover-heavy adventures—similar to the cinematic universe vibe Gunn is building.

It’s ideal if you enjoyed the movie’s larger shared‑universe feel.

7. Superman: Red Son (Mark Millar)

An Elseworlds gem reimagining Superman’s ship landing in Soviet Russia instead of Kansas. He becomes an instrument of Stalin rather than a symbol of American hope, which forces readers to wrestle with ideology and heroism. This strange-but-profound alt‑history resonates with the film’s willingness to explore Superman in fresh contexts.

8. Luthor (Brian Azzarello & Lee Bermejo)

If Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor in the film impressed you, check out Luthor by Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo—a grim, psychological portrait of the man who sees himself not as a villain, but as humanity’s last, best hope. This comic digs deep into Luthor’s psyche, portraying him as a brilliant, morally ambiguous strategist who genuinely believes Superman is a threat to human self-determination. Like Hoult’s portrayal in the film, the comic’s Luthor is cool, calculating, and terrifying in his conviction, not driven by chaos or greed, but by a warped sense of responsibility and superiority. He sees Superman not as a savior, but as an obstacle to human greatness—an alien god who disempowers rather than inspires.

What makes Luthor especially compelling is its grounded, noir-like aesthetic and its refusal to simplify the character into a mustache-twirling villain. Instead, it treats him as a deeply flawed human being shaped by trauma, pride, and an unshakable belief that Earth must remain in human hands. If you found yourself intrigued by the more nuanced, emotionally restrained Lex from the 2025 film—who menaces not through rage but through manipulation, wealth, and ideology—this is the perfect companion piece.

It’s a deep dive into one of Superman’s most fascinating antagonists, and a chilling look at what happens when intellect and ego go unchecked.

9. Superman: American Alien (Max Landis et al.)

This four-part series presents Clark Kent as a more vulnerable, awkward, and ultimately inspiring immigrant‑like figure in American culture. Each chapter focuses on a different formative moment in Clark’s life, from his early discovery of powers to his first days navigating adult responsibility. Rather than a linear origin story, it's a mosaic of coming-of-age episodes, each illustrated by a different artist, giving the series a visual and emotional variety that mirrors Clark’s evolving identity.

The result is a deeply humanized portrait of Superman—not as a distant symbol of perfection, but as a messy, curious, and earnest young man trying to figure out who he is in a world that doesn’t always make space for difference. The storytelling leans into humor, heartbreak, and awkward triumphs, making Clark’s growth feel grounded and relatable. If the film’s depiction of Superman resonated with you—especially the parts that showed his tenderness, uncertainty, or quiet strength—American Alien offers a beautiful, character-driven extension of that theme. It reminds us that Superman’s power is not just in his abilities, but in his empathy, humility, and refusal to give up on people, even when he’s still learning who he is.